FAQ

How Do I Submit My Article?

Please submit your article online. Electronic submission substantially reduces the editorial processing and reviewing times and shortens overall publication times. Submit Online Now!

What are the Instructions to Authors?

We have a very specific compilation of instructions listed on our “general author instructions” page.

If I Have a Question About My Manuscript, Who Can I Ask?

Please refrain from sending direct inquiries to the Editors in Chief.  Our Managing Editors are happy to assist you with any questions or concerns, please email at prpr@rice.edu.

How Many Days Do I Have to Resubmit My Revised Manuscript?

PRPR allows authors 180 days to revise a manuscript after it has completed the peer review process and an editorial decision has been reached.  Should authors require more than 180 days, please email the managing editor at prpr@rice.edu with the request.  Without an explicit request for more time, all “revised” manuscripts submitted after 180 days of an editorial decision will be treated as new submissions and will undergo the peer review process anew.

Does Springer Provide Templates and Style Files for Preparing a Journal Article?

Yes, for your convenience Springer has developed macros and templates to help you prepare your manuscript, found here.  Please bear in mind, however, that the “general author instructions” as well as the “artwork” page include additional information on styling and format for PRPR.

Does Springer Provide English Language Support?

No. Manuscripts that are accepted for publication will be checked by our copy editors for spelling and formal style. This may not be sufficient if English is not your native language and substantial editing would be required. In that case, you may want to have your manuscript edited by a native speaker prior to submission. A clear and concise language will help editors and reviewers concentrate on the scientific content of your paper and thus smooth the peer review process.

Can I Submit Multimedia Files to be Published Online Along with My Article?

Yes.  Springer accepts electronic supplementary material (animations, movies, audio, large original data, etc.) which will be published in the online version only. This feature can add dimension to the article, as certain information cannot be printed or is more convenient in electronic form. For detailed information about file formats, file size, etc, please check Springer’s ESM guidelines.

What Happens After My Article Has Been Accepted?

While the manuscript files are handed over to production for data processing and typesetting, you (being the corresponding author) will stay in touch with us through MyPublication. There you will be asked whether you wish to:

• Publish your article open access with Springer’s Open Choice option (if the journal is not a fully open access one).
• Transfer the copyright of your article (if you don’t publish open access).
• Order printing of figures in color.
• Order paid offprints in addition to your free (electronic) offprint.

A short while after completing the MyPublication questionnaire, you will receive the article’s proofs.

Can You Give Me Information About Copyright?

Authors will be asked to transfer the copyright of the article to the Publisher (or grant the Publisher exclusive publication and dissemination rights). This will ensure the widest possible protection and dissemination of information under copyright laws. Open access articles (Open Choice articles or fully open access journals) do not require you to transfer of the copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, you agree to the Springer Open Choice License.   Springer and Open Access.  For more information, visit our “rights and permissions” page.

What Exactly is the “My Publication Service” and How Can I Benefit From It?

The “MyPublication” service facilitates all administrative tasks after your article has been accepted by a Springer journal. You can sign the Copyright Transfer Statement online, decide whether your article should be published open access, whether your figures should appear in color if available. Most importantly, this new process significantly reduces the production time of your article. Find more information on “My Publication” here.

How Can I Find Out The Status of My Journal Manuscript After it has Been Accepted?

Article Stages